Remarks by Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
upon Receiving the 1999 Freedom Award

October 19, 1999

As a citizen of a country where citizens have been deprived of basic rights for a long time, I deeply appreciate the work of any organization working for political development and democracy. For me, political development and democracy are synonymous because democracy assumes a mature citizenry -- a mature citizenry who are capable of deciding and shaping their own destiny. Political development also means that the people of a country are mature enough to decide what they want for themselves.

For this reason, I am very grateful to the International Republican Institute for what it has done to promote democracy in different parts of the world, especially, of course, in my own country.

As you are well aware, we have been struggling for democracy now for over a decade -- almost 11 years now -- a bit over 11 years. And during that time, we have had to depend on our friends to see us through very difficult times. By our friends, we mean those who are interested in democracy and human rights, who understand that democracy and human rights are the key to peace all over the world.

Peace and freedom cannot be separated. I do not think you can talk about peace without freedom. Peace without freedom is not genuine peace. It may be a quiescence that is imposed on a people, but that is quite different from the kind of freedom and peace that comes about from the ability of the people to decide what is best for the human community.

To be given the Freedom Award of the International Republican Institute is a great honor because it recognizes the work of all of those who are working for democracy in Burma. Every award that is given to me is given to the people of Burma who desire peace and democracy. For that reason, I am always doubly grateful for the personal honor that is done to me and the great honor that is done to my countrymen.

Few people realize how difficult life is for my people here. Few people in the free world realize what it is like to live in a country where you never can tell when your liberty will be taken away from you. The fact that, in spite of living in a free society, you care enough for those of us who have been deprived of our basic rights is very encouraging for the whole of mankind. It means that there are people who care, not because they hope to get something out of their caring, but because they want to see a freer, happier world.

I would like to thank Senator McCain for accepting this award on my behalf. It is very fitting that somebody who has done so much for democracy in Burma, who continues to do whatever he can to promote the cause democracy in Burma, is accepting this Freedom Award for me and for all those in Burma who want democracy every day of their lives.

I hope very much that the time will come when we, too, will be able to offer Freedom Awards to people all over the world, and to join everybody in building a more peaceful, more secure community of mankind.

Thank you very much for all that you have done for us in Burma. Thank you very much for the award. I hope that there will be a time when I will be able to thank you with more than words. Thank you.

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